We have been witnessing quite turmoil in the online gambling industry in the United States, since the Bush administration ruled online gambling to be an illegal activity. However, it does not seem as if the American judiciary has a similar consensus on this, at least what is clear from the recent development. A few months back, the online casino and poker players had a reason to smile in the form of a subordinate court ruling, which allowed a defendant to prove in court that online gambling was an activity of skill, by providing viable evidence for the same. However, Weld County District Court proved to be a mood spoiler, when its chief ruled out any possibility of such a pleading.

The Chief Judge at the Weld County District Court, James Hartmann’s statements and ruling proved the very much evident disparity in opinion amongst the government officials as well as the judiciary, about online gambling in the United States of America. Hartmann maintained that he did believe that online gambling utilized a person’s skill, however he said that this ruling was based on his belief that a lot of randomness existed in gambling, and it was finally down to a pack of cards and the gambler’s luck.

The case prior to which this ruling followed, involved one Kevin Raley, who was arrested a few months back on charges of practicing illegal gambling activities, along with five of his fellow mates, in a bar somewhere in Colorado. During the trial against him, Raley had tried to prove in front of the presiding judiciary that the practice of gambling was actually an exhibition of skill. However, after this ruling, it seems no other defendant would be able to use this skill card in online gambling in front of the state judiciary.

The initial ruling in Kevin Raley’s case had been cordially accepted by the Poker Player’s Association (PPA) as well as Poker players all over the United States. However, the new ruling did prove to be a let down for them, as well as all those who were in the hope of seeing poker and online gambling one day being accepted as a legal, sport of skill and talent.

The market analysts as well as online gambling experts do not seem to be very amused with this ruling. According to them, the ruling just indicates how self contradictory, the American judiciary has become on the subject of online gambling being a legal sport. As in the words of an avid observer, Frank Litscum, the decision has clearly exposed the indecision as well as contradictions amongst the government as well as the judiciary of the United States of America. This ruling has surely left the online gamblers with one less point to defend their case upon, if they are ever found in a position of a defendant of their interests. We will have to wait and watch if some kind of retaliation or contradiction is made from the side of the online gamblers, against this recent ruling by the Weld County District Court.